Arrive Ready, Leave Transformed
The last thing you want on the morning of your first padel session in Plettenberg Bay is to be rummaging through your bag looking for grip tape or realising you've forgotten your sunscreen. Plett Padel Camp is a fully curated experience — but the things you bring matter.
Here is our definitive pre-camp packing guide, built from years of hosting guests at La Vista Lodge.
✅ The Non-Negotiables
- Padel racket (we have loaner rackets if you don't own one yet)
- 2–3 pairs of padel shoes — court-specific, not running shoes
- Padel balls — we supply them, but bring your own for extra practice
- Padel-specific grip tape — sweaty grips lose you matches
- UV-protective sport sunscreen — SPF 50+ minimum, South African sun is intense
On-Court Kit
🎾 Equipment
- Padel racket (mid or round shape)
- Overgrip tape (3–4 rolls)
- Vibration dampener (optional)
- Ball hopper (optional)
👟 Footwear
- Padel/clay court shoes (primary)
- Backup court shoes
- Pool slides or flip-flops
- Trainers for evening walks
👕 Clothing
- 3–4 performance sport shirts
- 2–3 pairs of sport shorts/skirts
- Light warm-up jacket (early mornings)
- Smart-casual evening wear
For the Robberg Hike
One of the camp's highlight activities is the Robberg Peninsula hike — a spectacular 9km coastal trail through a protected nature reserve. You'll want:
- Comfortable hiking shoes or trail runners
- A 2L water bottle (refillable)
- Sunhat and UV sunglasses
- A light rain jacket (coastal weather can shift quickly)
- Camera or a phone with a good lens — you'll regret not having one
The Beach Bag
Plettenberg Bay's beaches are among the most beautiful in South Africa. After an intense morning on the courts, an afternoon on Lookout Beach or Central Beach is the perfect recovery. Pack:
- Towel (the lodge provides them, but a personal beach towel is handy)
- Waterproof phone case
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- A good book — padel evenings can run late
The Evening Wardrobe
Camp evenings are social. Plett's restaurant scene ranges from relaxed beachside casual to smart Garden Route chic. You don't need to overpack — two or three smart-casual outfits will cover everything from a terrace sunset dinner to a casual cocktail at the lodge pool.
Pro tip: La Vista Lodge provides all towels, premium toiletries, and hairdryers. Don't waste bag space on bathroom essentials. Use it for an extra pair of court shoes instead.
What We Provide
Plett Padel Camp includes everything listed on your booking confirmation. As a rule: if it's on the court or in the lodge kitchen, we've got it covered. Your job is to show up ready to play.
Questions before you travel? Reach us via the enquiry form. And if you haven't booked yet, check our upcoming camp dates — spaces are genuinely limited.
